Meet Our Staff

Program Coordinator

Katie Peterson

Katie Peterson entered the field of student affairs with the intention to advocate for social justice, community engagement and provide a space for students to explore their identity and purpose. As a first generation college student Katie Peterson attended the University of Washington and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Geography with an emphasize in International Studies. While attending the University of Washington Katie spent much of her time traveling oversees contributing to foreign relief work and volunteering locally. While pursuing her Masters degree in College Counseling and Student Development at Azusa Pacific University, Katie worked within the Student Activities, Community Engagement Center, and Career Services and the Residence Life department. Upon graduation Katie worked as a full-time Residence Director at Pitzer College in Southern California until she served for one year as Residence Community Coordinator for Whitney Hall at Chico State. Katie is now ecstatic for the opportunity to be the Program Coordinator in the CCLC because it provides her with the ability to combine her passion for mentorship and social justice education. When Katie is not working in the CCLC, she enjoys hiking, thrift store shopping, traveling, crafting and hanging out with friends!

Assistant Program Coordinator

Krystle Tonga

Krystle Tonga was raised in Reno, NV and is currently a graduate student at CSU, Chico. As a student in the masters in Public Administration, Krystle is preparing to continue her work as an activist and hopes to start non-profit organization that helps advocate for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. By getting involved on campus, Krystle was able to obtain great leadership opportunities. After working with the Educational Opportunity Program, and being involved with various student organizations on campus, Krystle has continued her journey as a assistant program coordinator at the CCLC.

Administrative Support Coordinator

Shawnya Abrams

Shawnya was born in Cleveland, OH and moved to Southern California six years later. Due to constantly moving around the L.A. area, she attended various elementary schools until settling in Goleta, CA where she lived throughout her early years. She has one son, who currently attends Butte College and is her pride and joy. After being out of school for 10 years, Shawnya returned to Chico State, determined to receive her bachelor’s degree. She was employed by Butte County for nearly 15 years, assisting her local community, before finding her way to the CCLC. Shawnya is a proud and active member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she serves as a church steward, usher, and the Women’s Missionary Society secretary.

Inclusion Coordinator

Cassandra Arechiga

Cassandra was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a third-year Latina, attending Chico State, majoring in Psychology with a pathway in gender and sexuality and a minor in family relations. Cassandra loves being involved and is grateful to have been part of programs such as F.L.O (Freshman Leadership Opportunities), C.A.V.E (Community Action Volunteer in Education), and Diversity Summit ran by the C.C.L.C her freshman year. During her sophomore year, she dedicated to being a Resident Advisor in both Sutter Hall and University Village. Cassandra values building real relationships with students of all years and encourages diversity and individuality. The C.C.L.C has been an impactful space for her and as an Inclusion Coordinator she is excited to make it a second home for all students and staff who enter.

Inclusion Coordinator

Alexis Rougely

Alexis Rougely is from Banning, a small town in Southern California. She is a second year majoring in MADT (Media, Art, Design, and Technology) with a concentration in Graphic Design as well as a minor in Marketing. Alexis fell in love with Chico State and, especially after finding the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, she knew that this was her home away from home. She is extremely passion about students of color and those with biracial backgrounds because this is something that she has personally experienced, being biracial, herself. Alexis is excited to meet you and can't wait to welcome you home, here at the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center!

Inclusion Coordinator

Imogen Outlaw

Imogen Outlaw is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Science and minoring in International Relations and International Business. She spent her junior year studying abroad in England and loves traveling. Imogen is passionate about empowering domestic and international communities through education and economic investment. She is also passionate about supporting and embracing natural hair and natural beauty. In the future, Imogen hopes to attend graduate school and work to combat social injustices and human rights violations.

Para-Professional

Kaylena Santos

Hi ya'll! My name is Kaylena Santos and I am from an itty bity town named Reedley, just south of Fresno. I came to Chico as a transfer student and am now in my last year before graduating with my bachelors in Organizational Communications. I am beyond excited to put my passions of social justice, allyship, creativity, and relationship building to some really great use! If I'm not in the CCLC you can find me in a yoga class, reading at a coffee shop, or at karaoke night. I hope to meet some amazing students this year and cannot wait for the CCLC to become their home too.

Para-Professional

Dashawn Lamont Jackson

Dashawn Lamont Jackson is a third-year student from Riverside, California. This 20-year-old young man is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Social Work and looking forward to also getting his master’s degree within that field of study in the future. He is extremely passionate about being a part of the CCLC family but his heart lies in the hands of his African American community. Dashawn is a part of the Black Student Union, Men of Honor, and advocates for Black Excellence which is a personal hobby that he takes pride in. He also strives for academic excellence on and off campus and helping Wildcats understand the different aspects of diversity and how fascinating our cultures are. Dashawn is passionate about helping individuals understand life through a cultural lens while focusing on ways to empower his community.

Para-Professional

Karla Guzman

A Stockton, CA native, Karla is in her final year, studying Sociology with a minor in Spanish. Upon graduating, in May 2018, she hopes to attend graduate school the following year. She quickly became involved on campus by joining Freshmen Leadership Opportunities (FLO), Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter (HSF), Community Action Volunteers in Education (CAVE), Diversity Affairs Council (DAC), EMPOWER, and LeadCat. As she closes her chapter working as a Migrant Education tutor for Mini-Corps, she is ecstatic to begin her new adventure at the CCLC. She admires the passion, optimism, and positive energy the center enlightens in others and hopes to inspire others as the center has so for her. She is passionate about learning and serving marginalized communities, advocacy, cultural diversity, and building relationships. Karla is excited to meet new faces, grow as a leader, inspire others, and become the first person in her family to graduate from college.

Graduate Assistant

Aurea Bolaños Perea

Aurea Bolaños Perea is from San Diego, California. She is a second-year M.A. student in the department of Political Science, with an emphasis on public policy regarding race and gender relations. Aurea has always been passionate for advocating for students of color, especially as they continue into higher-education. At her undergraduate institution, UC Merced, she was the Campus Organizing Director, as well as the UC-Wide Director for advocacy campaigns where she was known for fighting for the rights of women of color. As she joins the CCLC team, Aurea hopes to continue her advocacy work through empowering the students of Chico State to achieve academically and becoming politically engaged within their communities.

Graphic Design Coordinator

Skyla Smith

Skyla Smith, a SoCal native, is in her last year at Chico State, majoring in Communications and Graphic Design. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she fights passionately to educate and advocate for equal rights. Skyla began her career in design working for Redding’s LGBTQ+ organization, NorCal OUTreach Project. Creating a brand for NCOP, she found a way to merge her passion for design and advocacy. Over the years, Skyla has partnered with Shasta College, Safe Zone, Stonewall Chico, National Suicide Prevention Org., and Chico State to outreach through discussions, trainings, and her love of design. She is honored to be a part of the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center as an ally and advocate, helping to spread the mission of the CCLC through More Than Just Pretty Pictures.